Aconcagua - High Altitude Mountaineering

Date:
December 27, 2018 -
January 15, 2019

Price:
CMC Members: $5995
Non-Members: $6100

Deposit: $1000

Trip Overview

HAMS- level Adventure Travel Trip to climb Aconcagua, 22,895', the highpoint of the Southern and Western Hemispheres and one of the Seven Summits. This expedition is planned to take up to three weeks. CMC will use the services of Sierra Mountaineering International, who has led trips to virtually every major peak in the world in the past 20+ years. US guides will assist us as we take the more scenic, cleaner, and less travelled Polish Traverse Route up the Vacas Valley, and descend the standard Horcones Valley route.

Once on the mountain, we will take three days to reach the Base Camp in the Upper Vacas Valley at 13,747', which has bunks, showers, meals and WiFi. From there, we will shuttle gear and move higher, and reach a high camp at over 19,000', re-joining the standard route near Independencia Hut at over 20,000' on summit day. A summit bid will be long, grueling, and will most likely be the highest point in elevation any of us will have ever reached.

We will descend via the standard X Route to Plaza de Mulas Hut, and from there go out to the Penitentes Trailhead assisted by mules. Having seen much of the entire mountain by then, an extra night in Medoza is included.

There will be an opportunity to add on extra time at your own expense for tourism, sightseeing, etc. SMI will offer a few of us the opportunity to attempt Ojos Del Salado, 22,615', the highest point of Chile, for an additional cost. The group size will be limited, and agreed upon ahead of time by participants, but it will only go if all participants are well physically, and have enough time left before flights home.

Accommodations

Hotel in Mendoza on each end. Huts at base camp, four season mountaineering tents on the upper mountain.

Pre-trip Activities and Requirements

All participants are expected to be CMC HAMS graduates, or have equivalent training. Participants must be highly motivated, self-sufficient and possess the necessary gear and clothing. Applicants will be judged on skill level, fitness level, general health, prior experience at high altitude, prior experience on expedition climbs and not the least, giving back to CMC in any way shape or form, including leading trips, instructing classes, etc.

Leader will organize pre-trip activities in the months prior, including exercise hikes, acclimation climbs, and social get-togethers to work on logistics and planning.